Sig P225 Review

Over the years I’ve had a number of carry guns and, admittedly, some were the result fads in CCW. With a little age and experience, I’ve narrowed my carry choices down to two different pistols – one for outside the waistband and one for inside. I’ll start with a review of my IWB option, the Sig Sauer P225.

Sig Sauer P225 Review

Maybe because it is a single stack 9mm, the P225 seems to be a bit of an odd ball. It is one of “those” guns that provoke a debate on either magazine capacity or caliber choice and I occasionally find myself defending my choice to carry it.

A Little Background

Other than being a single stack, it is the close mechanical cousin of the P220. The P225 came about in mid 1970s and entered service with the German police as the P6 until about 1995. In P6 form it may have a heavier trigger pull as well as a Deformationssporn, which means “deformation spur”, on the hammer. If the pistol was dropped on the hammer, the spur would bend and be an indicator to the armor it was in need of inspection.

Sig Sauer P225

This is the first Sig I’ve owned and for an odd reason – I never liked the stamped trigger. There is no rhyme or reason to that opinion, it was just rattling around in my head. It doesn’t seem so strange now that I own one and is actually something I like about the pistol. The trigger has smooth profile and is very rigid.

Sig P225

But you are reading this to get the good, the bad and the ugly – lets get to the heart of the review.

PROS:

Accurate beyond need. I bought the pistol new and straight out of the box, it has been a great shooter. It is one of the guns that make me look like I can really shoot.

Reliable. I have zero tolerance for guns that don’t work – they make me insane. I’ve read reviews of P6s that won’t cycle hollow points, but I haven’t had that issue in my P225.

It is a slim gun and I’m not a slim guy. It carries really well IWB.

A grip profile that agrees with a variety of shooters. Most importantly it agrees with me in a big way – this gun fits!

Second strike – just pull the trigger again.

Fires without the magazine inserted.

CONS:

Controls are not familiar to many shooters. It takes regular practice to master the manual of arms.

The slide release is where you’d expect a safety

The decock lever is where you’d expect a slide release.

The grips are marginal at best– really, I think they are the worst attribute of an otherwise excellent pistol. There aren’t many options to replace them either.

Stock magazines don’t have a base pad. With meaty hands like mind, that’s a downside.

No chambered round indicator. My XD-40 spoiled me on this one. It’s comforting to have a visual and tactile loaded chamber indicator.

What? No range report!!!

Here is the rundown – this gun shoots very well for me while also being absolutely reliable. That’s my version of the range report.

Sig Sauer P225

Bottom Line

So, what do I really think? This is one of the best IWB choices out there, even if it is under appreciated. The things that are most important to me – reliability and accuracy – are top notch in this pistol. This is an option that requires range time to make sure you master the muscle memory on the controls.

I’ll leave you with one puzzling observation: First of all, I always introduce shooters to an empty firearm and take them through the operation of that particular firearm. For some strange reason, almost everyone has this urge to put his or her damn finger on the trigger while using the decocking lever. Maybe it is an ergonomic issue and they are grasping for leverage. Regardless, be aware on the phenomenon.

Be Safe!
Eric
aka Sgt_Rock

About Eric Reibsane

Eric is a certifiable gun nut and ardent supporter of the 2nd Amendment. He is the father of two boys, owner of three hunting dogs, and creator of leaderlivinglife.com. A life member of the NRA and VFW, Eric is the recipient of the Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service medals for his service during the Persian Gulf War. He and his family live in the Green Mountain State –Vermont

I really like my Sig P239 for concealed carry in a HighNoon horsehide holster. What’s the difference between the P225 and the P239? Thanks!

Kauphymug

P225 = 9mm, out of production but still some new ones available, P239 = 9mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W and the P239 is a little more compact.

Rex

Great article – not too many on the P225 out there. I’ve owned one since 1991 and love it.

CPT Horse

My strong preference for regular carry when I have a jacket to cover is the Sig 229 in .40. If concealed carry, then the Sig 239 in 40. I have Crimson Trace lasers on both and it really helps. My everyday carry, although I hope not to get into a serious firefight with it is my Ruper LCP in .30, using the Pocket Pal PP380 wallet holster. I carry it in my back pocket and it looks like a wallet (no patterning) and the item is designed that even as you pull it out and shoot it, it still looks like a wallet until you get a closer look.

I ahve several Sigs and they are always out of the box accurate and dependable, and I shoot a lot of rounds through them, of different types including my reloads without problems.

The double strike on the trigger is an extremely important feature, and one I sorely miss (at least mentally) when I go to another pistol, like the S&W M&P in 40, as occassionally a round does not fire the first time the hammer falls, but, so far, the second strike always works. I like that better than having to cycle through to another round, especially in a heated environment.

pack_sig

Good review. I have always thought the sigs performed with excellent accuracy and reliability. I have a few. So a range review isnt necassary for me. The 229 was also was my first firearm so I always find myself coming back to it. I currently carry in a summer comfort by Galco, but I am now looking into the super tuck deluxe by Crossbreed. Thanks for the review!

Sgt_Rock

I’m going to write a review on the Crossbreed soon – you can see mine in the pictures – as that is how I carry the Sig. Bottom line is that you should get one and try it. I’m a real fan of mine.

Eric

Gregallen1

In right hand use, the decocker is slightly out of reach of the thumb of the right hand. Try manipulating the decocker with the DIP Joint of the left hand’s thumb. It was designed with that in mind. Proper manipulation techniques also support keeping the weapon on the target and ready to re-engage during the decocking process.

reno92

I just wish mags were easier to find for it.

Slugcatcher90

I don’t like the sig’s alloy frame, they can easily get scratched & the slide’s finish is too thin making it susceptible to corrosion. But performance wise, they are okay…

Darkomarko

Just read your review of the P6. I too, own one, and while I would not consider it to be an ideal conceal pistol, I did add a Hogue rubber grip sleeve to it, and it fits my hands perfectly. But it also makes the profile a little wider. Worth the trade off though. And, when I read your comment about people tending to put their finger on the trigger when operating the de-cocking lever, I grinned. Because I totally get that. Which, for that reason alone I love it for me. I shoot left handed predominantly, and I operate the de-cocker w/my left trigger finger, virtually eliminating the possibility of an accident. Took a little practice, but I am quite adept at its operation now, and in 99 out of 100 instances, you don’t NEED to de cock in an emergency situation. I will own this pistol til the day I die.

toc30

Good review and straight to the point. With my smaller hand (long fingers) than average, this single stack SIG fits me perfectly, unlike holding a soda can, that is a P229. Can’t emphasize that enough. If you are familiar with classic SIG features, there is nothing not to like about the P225/P6. Yes, magazines are hard to come by.

One little comment on the trigger guard – it’s very long. I am able to drop the trigger finger straight in and onto the trigger. But then again, there is nothing for my finger to rest on when I am not ready to fire… Just have to rest my finger on the frame.

lrpc administrator

I have one of these as my carry gun of choice and am very happy with it. I agree with your comment about the crappy grips. Not only did I find that cleaning solvent would turn them white, I realized that this thin plastic was the mainspring housing. I replaced them with a set of Hogue Extreme aluminum grips in smooth OD green and nickel plated grip screws, and wound up with an attractive package. I manage a gun club, so I can take a gun to work everyday, and it is always with me. One of my favorites!

VS

That’s funny that’s what I named my P6 (Sgt. Rock) when I first saw it. Loved those comics when I was a kid.

v s

My P6

YoMama

I love my P225, fits my hand like a glove, super accurate, and always fires any ammo. Looking for good suggestions on CC holsters…

sometrend

I have 5 of these guns and I love them! Nothing out there feels as good in the hand and poins as well. Of the 5,2 are german police P6`s.one was built 11/79,the other 7/86. Of the H&k`s,glocks,and sigs I own,the 11/79 P6 is the most accurate semi auto pistol I`ve got…it doesn`t like aggressive hollow points but with Geco match 124gr and my ransom rest that gun will put all 9 shots into a ragged 1 to 1 1/4in hole at 50ft.the est group ever got was rigt at 3/4in at that range. the gun is a lazer!